Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences of hospice and palliative care (HPC) nurses at inpatient hospice centers in South Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: Data collection was conducted through individual interviews with 15 HPC nurses using face-to-face interviews, telephone calls, or Zoom videoconferencing. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: This study found that HPC nurses experienced practical and ethical dilemmas that reinforced the essential meaning and value of hospice and palliative care. The participants emphasized their practical roles related to compliance with infection prevention measures and their roles as rebuilders of hospice and palliative care. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that inpatient hospice centers must mitigate the practical and ethical dilemmas experienced by nurses, consider establishing explanation nursing units, and provide education to support nurses’ highlighted roles during the pandemic. This study can be used to prepare inpatient hospice centers and the nurses that work there for future infectious disease outbreaks.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigatecomplementary therapiesprovided at hospice palliative care facilities in South Koreaas designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Methods: The survey was conducted via e-mail from September 2 to September 23, 2020, with responsesfrom 109 therapists and 59 managers from 55 different hospice care facilities. Results: Hospices provided an average of 3.67 different types of therapies, ranging from 1 to 7 different types. The most common types of therapies were horticultural therapy (81.4%), music therapy (79.7%), art therapy (76.3%), and aromatherapy (57.6%).The average frequency of sessions was once a week, the median duration was 60 minutes.Most therapists (96.3%) had qualifications, but the certification-issuing organizations and training intensiveness varied greatly. None of the therapists were employed on a full-time basis, and their average monthly income was KRW 270,000. Therapists and managers gave average scores of 8.90 and 8.38 out of 10, respectively, regarding the positive impact of complementary therapies on patients. Conclusion In order for patients and their families to benefit from complementary therapiesat hospice care facilities, in addition tobetter terms of employment for therapists, evidence-based guidelines for different types of therapies are needed so that therapy sessions can be conducted according to the theoretical underpinnings and characteristics of the type of therapy. It is expected that the results of this study will be used for policy-making in support of therapy as an essential hospice service.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigatecomplementary therapiesprovided at hospice palliative care facilities in South Koreaas designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Methods: The survey was conducted via e-mail from September 2 to September 23, 2020, with responsesfrom 109 therapists and 59 managers from 55 different hospice care facilities. Results: Hospices provided an average of 3.67 different types of therapies, ranging from 1 to 7 different types. The most common types of therapies were horticultural therapy (81.4%), music therapy (79.7%), art therapy (76.3%), and aromatherapy (57.6%).The average frequency of sessions was once a week, the median duration was 60 minutes.Most therapists (96.3%) had qualifications, but the certification-issuing organizations and training intensiveness varied greatly. None of the therapists were employed on a full-time basis, and their average monthly income was KRW 270,000. Therapists and managers gave average scores of 8.90 and 8.38 out of 10, respectively, regarding the positive impact of complementary therapies on patients. Conclusion In order for patients and their families to benefit from complementary therapiesat hospice care facilities, in addition tobetter terms of employment for therapists, evidence-based guidelines for different types of therapies are needed so that therapy sessions can be conducted according to the theoretical underpinnings and characteristics of the type of therapy. It is expected that the results of this study will be used for policy-making in support of therapy as an essential hospice service.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of liver transplantation (LT) recipients and explore certain factors that influence nutritional status, including dietary patterns and physical activities. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The subjects included 211 LT recipients at a medical center outpatient clinic located in Seoul, Korea. The nutritional status, dietary patterns, and physical activities of each subject were measured using the body mass index (BMI), Mini Dietary Assessment (MDA), and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The percentages of living and deceased donor LTs were 81.0% and 19.0%, respectively. The mean BMIs pre- and post-LT were 23.88 and 23.16 kg/m2, respectively, and the average MDA score was 36.55. More than 60.0% of the subjects had a moderate or high level of physical activity. In multivariate analysis, a higher BMI before LT (β=.72, p<.001), a lower Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (β=−.18, p<.001), and being male (β=−.10, p=.024) contributed to better nutritional status post-LT. Patients within six months of LT were less engaged in muscle exercises than those post six months of LT (p=.020). CONCLUSION LT recipients in Korea have good nutritional status and a good level of physical activity. To improve recipients' post-LT nutritional status, the pre-LT nutritional status should be considered, particularly in those with a higher MELD score. In addition, physical activity including muscle-strengthening exercises should be encouraged from an earlier stage.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine person-centered care, nursing professionalism, the nursing work environment, and empathy capacity among hospice ward nurses and to identify the factors affecting person-centered care. Methods: Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire completed by 120 nurses at 30 inpatient hospice institutions in South Korea from August 24, 2020 to September 8, 2020. The independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The scores were 3.76±0.45 for person-centered care, 3.58± 0.47 for nursing professionalism, 3.24±0.57 for the nursing work environment, and 4.00± 0.46 for empathy capacity. There were positive correlations between the variables. Factors that influenced the person-centered care of hospice nurses were being a manager (β=0.20, P=0.002), high nursing professionalism (β=0.20, P=0.012), a better nursing work environ-ment (β=0.15, P=0.033), and high empathy capacity (β=0.51, P＜0.001). The explanatorypower was 65.3%. Conclusion To reinforce the person-centered care competency of hospice nurses, it is necessary to improve nursing professionalism, the nursing work environment, and empathy competency. Opportunities for nurses to practice independently must be expanded for nurses to develop nursing professionalism. Sufficient nursing personnel and material resources must be provided to nurses to cultivate a positive work environment.Empathy should be improved by implementing integrated education programs that include nursing practice situations.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of liver transplantation (LT) recipients and explore certain factors that influence nutritional status, including dietary patterns and physical activities. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The subjects included 211 LT recipients at a medical center outpatient clinic located in Seoul, Korea. The nutritional status, dietary patterns, and physical activities of each subject were measured using the body mass index (BMI), Mini Dietary Assessment (MDA), and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The percentages of living and deceased donor LTs were 81.0% and 19.0%, respectively. The mean BMIs pre- and post-LT were 23.88 and 23.16 kg/m2, respectively, and the average MDA score was 36.55. More than 60.0% of the subjects had a moderate or high level of physical activity. In multivariate analysis, a higher BMI before LT (β=.72, p<.001), a lower Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (β=−.18, p<.001), and being male (β=−.10, p=.024) contributed to better nutritional status post-LT. Patients within six months of LT were less engaged in muscle exercises than those post six months of LT (p=.020). CONCLUSION: LT recipients in Korea have good nutritional status and a good level of physical activity. To improve recipients' post-LT nutritional status, the pre-LT nutritional status should be considered, particularly in those with a higher MELD score. In addition, physical activity including muscle-strengthening exercises should be encouraged from an earlier stage.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Body Mass Index ; Exercise ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutritional Status ; Seoul ; Tissue Donors ; Transplant Recipients

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.